The 4 major integrative models in psychological therapy
Although traditionally psychologists, including clinicians, have been ascribed to specific theoretical models (such as behavioral, psychodynamic, phenomenological or humanistic), there is a growing trend towards the integration of different approaches. However, this kind of movement goes back at least to the middle of the 20th century.
In this article we will describe the characteristics of The main integrative models in psychological therapy , as well as the types of integration that exist. Among the developments of which we will speak we can highlight the interpersonal therapy of Klerman and Weissman or the transteoric model of the change of Prochaska and Diclemente.
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The integrative models in psychotherapy
In the year 1950 John Dollard and Neal Miller, two researchers from Yale University, published the work "Personality and psychotherapy: an analysis in terms of learning, thought and culture". In her reformulated key concepts of psychoanalysis in behavioral terms ; This was one of the first milestones in the history of integration in psychotherapy.
In this era there were multiple psychological models in vogue; psychoanalysis and the theory of learning were the most influential, but other orientations also had weight and new ones began to flourish, such as cognitivism. This context favored the mix of very varied proposals, sometimes opposite each other.
Another relevant aspect in the development of the integrative models is they constituted the investigations around the effectiveness of psychotherapy and its components and approaches. The results suggested that different forms of intervention could be useful depending on the specific case, and that much of the success of psychotherapy should be attributed to common factors.
During the following decades the integrative movement continued to develop along very different paths. In this sense we must distinguish three main types of integration in psychotherapy, which reveal different approaches towards a common goal: the increase in the explanatory capacity of the models and the effectiveness of the treatments.
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What types of integration exist?
There are three large types of psychotherapeutic integration: the theoretical, the technique and the approach of the common factors , which focuses on the aspects underlying the effectiveness of the therapy regardless of its orientation. This division is very general and does not represent the complexity of the integrating movement, but it gives an idea of its basic tendencies.
1. Theoretical integration
The theoretical integration consists of combining the approaches of different psychological orientations. In some cases the same weight is given to complementary approaches, such as behaviorism and cognitivism, while in others a theory is used as a basis and the concepts of others are introduced into it; Constructivism is particularly useful in this regard.
2. Technical eclecticism
The technical type integration is commonly known as "technical eclecticism". This approach focuses on increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy by combining the most useful contributions of different orientations for specific problems. Thus, it is easier to apply than theoretical integration, although it runs the risk of lacking systematicity.
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3. Focus on common factors
This approach to integration is probably the oldest of the three; its origin goes back to the decades between 1930 and 1960, when the contributions of Rosenzweig, Alexander and French or Carl Rogers appeared. Nowadays it is known that 30% of the effectiveness of the therapies is due to common factors and only 15% to the chosen techniques.
Therapies and integrative psychological theories
Although there are many psychotherapeutic approaches that can be encompassed within the integrative paradigm, we will focus only on some of the most significant examples. Other relevant models include the dynamic cyclic psychotherapy of Wachtel, the theoretical integrationism of Neimeyer and Feixas or the proposal of Mardi Horowitz.
1. Therapy centered on the person of Rogers
Carl Rogers, a pioneer of humanistic psychotherapy, developed his person-centered model based on his research on the therapeutic process. From these he concluded that the efficacy depends mainly on the therapist's authentic attitude , as well as accepting the customer unconditionally and being able to empathize with it.
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2. Interpersonal therapy by Klerman and Weissman
Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman developed their interpersonal therapy in the 1970s as a method of treating major depression; nowadays it is also applied in cases of bulimia or in family therapy. This type of intervention part of psychodynamic theory and cognitive-behavioral therapy and includes techniques of different models.
3. Lazarus multimodal therapy
Richard Lazarus is known mainly for his contributions on coping with stress. Its multimodal therapy proposes the use of very diverse techniques depending on the specific problems and personality of the client; This includes interventions such as behavior modification, cognitive restructuring, biofeedback and pharmacological therapy.
4. Transteoric model of the change of Prochaska and Diclemente
This theoretical and practical model is applied in the treatment of addictions . It defines the change in six stages (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and completion), two types of process (cognitive-experiential and behavioral) and five levels (symptomatic, cognitive, interpersonal, systemic and intrapersonal).
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